HSE Schools’ National Merit Scholars exemplify journey of a student

Submitted by HSE Schools

“Excellence Starts Here’’ isn’t just Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ motto. It’s the standard of success that drives every facet of the district. From the athletic field to the performing arts stage, to vibrant student clubs and rigorous coursework, every accomplishment is rooted in a shared commitment to high expectations.

Nowhere is that standard clearer than in the achievements of Fishers High School (FHS) and Hamilton Southeastern High School’s (HSEHS) 2027 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, including nine from FHS and five from HSEHS, who were honored at a breakfast last Thursday, Oct. 1.

Congratulations to these students on this outstanding academic achievement:

Fishers High School

• Asher Burgoyne
• Cooper Chapple
• Sashi Ganapaneni
• Owen Jerrell
• Abeer Khan
• Abiola Olutayo
• Allison Svilenov
• Seth Tennekoon
• Ben Wu

Hamilton Southeastern High School

• Thomas Bezza
• Liam Kenyon
• Tyler Orris
• William Pence
• Hojin Shin

Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program remains one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. The program recognizes exceptional academic achievement and identifies some of the nation’s highest performing students.

Both schools’ honorees represent the top 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide based on their performance on the preliminary SAT (PSAT). These students now advance in the competition for nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships, worth approximately $26 million, awarded in spring 2027.

The designation opens doors to transformative higher education opportunities. Many universities, such as the University of Evansville, recruit finalists with full-ride scholarship offers, turning years of dedication into college funding.

While the National Merit title is awarded in high school, it is not based on a single test day’s effort. It is the culmination of a district-wide journey that begins the moment a student enters kindergarten.

“One of the things that really prepares students well is to have a challenging, rigorous, relevant curriculum throughout their journey,” said Jason Urban, assistant superintendent of secondary education. “It’s a journey that starts in elementary school through having a culture of expecting high levels of learning for every student.”

To ensure every student stays on target, HSE uses early testing as a growth tool rather than a hurdle. Freshmen and sophomores take practice exams to gain skill-by-skill feedback, giving parents, teachers, and counselors actionable data to tailor schedules and challenge students through Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit courses.

“There isn’t an ideal ‘type’ of student,” Urban said. “Every student brings their own learning style and experiences. What they all share is a love of learning. If you love to learn and you’re in an environment at school and at home that reinforces that, great things happen.”

HSE Schools’ Journey of a Student framework serves as the blueprint for nurturing well-rounded, capable leaders. By focusing on key skills, attributes and dispositions throughout their school years, the district prepares students to excel in any discipline.

“It was rewarding to see the work I had put into preparing reflected in the recognition, and I’m grateful to have earned the opportunity to be a part of this group of scholars,” said Allison Svilenov, a scholar from FHS. “Having teachers that genuinely cared about their students and were passionate about teaching had a tremendous impact on the type of student I am today.”

HSE Schools intentionally elevates academic milestones to match the energy of athletic state championships or performing arts accolades. Both Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools celebrate National Merit honorees with special family breakfasts, giving academic excellence the spotlight and community praise it deserves.

“Being named a semifinalist feels less like validation and more like a shared achievement with my school,” said Thomas Bezza, a scholar from HSEHS. It reminds me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by passionate HSE educators, my thoughtful friends, and my supportive family. It also serves as fuel for tackling future academic challenges. Work hard, play hard, and on test day, trust yourself and your preparation.”

Ultimately, these milestones celebrate far more than individual test scores. They recognize the vast support system behind each child – the family members, mentors, teachers, and community members who poured into them along the way. Honoring the student honors that collective journey.

To learn more about how HSE prepares students for lifelong success, visit hseschools.org/academics/journey-of-a-student.